I make my way to the stage as Effie motions for me to come. I try so hard not to cry, but tears still slip from my eyes down my cheeks. I was chosen and now I'm going to die. I mount the stage and Effie puts her arm on my back, leading me to her side.
"Are there any volunteers for Miss. Everdeen?" She pipes in her Capitol accent.
I look into the audience and see Katniss passed out on the ground. She won't help me, she can't.
"Okay, now it's time to pick the boys." Says Effie crossing to the boys glass ball. This time it doesn't take her long to pull the slip on the top of the cluster of sheets. I'm hoping it's not Gale, who is Katniss' best friend. If so, the odds are definitely not in my favour.
"The male tribute for District 12 is Peeta Mellark." She says opening the slip.
No. Not Peeta, I think. He helped us so many years ago, saved our family's lives. He even had a crush on Katniss. I don't know if he still does, but I'm the only one who ever knew. He makes his way across the stage, the sun glinting off his blonde hair.
"Here they are, the tributes from District 12." Says Effie.
Peeta and I shake hands. His are warm and tender. He looks at me and smiles. It's shy but nice at the same time. I grin a little back and we are ushered into the Justice Building where we will spend the next hour saying our goodbyes.
I sit on the couch, awaiting my first visitor. A peacekeeper ushers Katniss and mom into the room. I run straight into Katniss's arms and she hugs me tight.
"I'm so sorry, Prim, I'm so sorry. Oh my god, Prim." She cries into my shoulder. "I should have volunteered for you, I shouldn't have passed out. Oh, Prim."
"It's okay, Katniss. It's okay. I'll be fine. I'll try my best, maybe I can come home." I say in between sobs. But Katniss knows I can't. She knows I'm too young and too weak to even get past the first day. But I can always try.
I let go of Katniss and run straight into my mother's waiting arms. She hugs me tight and softly cries into my shoulder, stroking my hair. We don't have long before a peacekeeper comes in a drags Katniss and mother out.
"I love you, Prim." Calls Katniss.
I'm about the reply when the door slams shut.
Right away, Gale comes in the room. He comes and sits next to me on the couch.
"Prim, I want you to have this. My father had it before he died, and I want you to wear it into the arena." He says handing me a gold pin with a mockingjay in it.
"Gale, I can't take this." I say to him. His father was killed in the same mine explosion that killed mine. This is probably the only thing he has left to remember him by and he's giving it to me. I have no idea why.
"It's okay, I want you to have it Prim." He says closing it in my small hand. He gives me a hug and a peacekeeper comes to fish him out.
There will be no more visitors for me today. I wait while Peeta is finishing up with his family and Effie takes us out to the car that will take us to the train. The car is nice with soft seats. But with me, Effie and Peeta all squished into the back seat, it's not very comfortable.
The car ride takes about 20 minutes to get to the train. On the ride, Effie talk to us about how much of a treat it will be to go to the Capitol, where we will live in complete luxury for the next few weeks until we are locked into the arena. I decide to shut her out, planning what my training strategy will be for the games. I don't really want to listen to her anyways.
The car pulls up to the train station and Effie hurries us out. The train is pure silver and we arrive on the platform and the door slides open immediately. We step into the car and are immersed by the soft velvet couches and food beyond the eye can see. With fruit and treats that I don't have a name for, but they look delicious. I almost pick one up when our mentor, Haymitch is striding through the door and passes out on the floor, just a few yards away from Peeta and I.